With a speed of 12 objects per second the batteries are fed into the ID unit where they are identified with a set of sensors. The classification is made using artificial intelligence.

The OBS 500

The OBS 500 is an automatic sorter for waste portable batteries. The system is a complete identification and sorting system for all cylindrical and 9V batteries with a total capacity of more than 500 kg (1000 lbs) per hour.

The system enables collectors and recyclers to efficiently sort mixed streams of batteries into separate material fractions with minimal labor and expertise required.

Using vision technology the system does not only recognize the different chemistries. It also collects data that tells the relative share of the recycling stream for each brand and manufacturer.

Sorts any chemistry

From a normal stream of waste batteries the OBS 500 can sort all cylindrical batteries up to D size and all 9V batteries, usually 75 to 80 per cent of the stream. Other batteries need to be removed in a pre-sorting process. In the base version the OBS 500 sorts batteries into four different chemistries: Alkaline, Nickel Metal Hydride, Nickel Cadmium and Primary Lithium. Fractions can also be added for other chemistries as Zinc Carbon, Lithium Thyonil Chloride and Lithium ion (cylindrical). The purity rate in the large fractions (>2.5% of entire volume) is normally at least 97 per cent. Alkaline has normally a purity over 99 per cent.

The biggest brands in United Kingdom, presented in realtime from the OBS 600.

Detailed data

With the OBS 500 the material is not only sorted. The system also collects information about the batteries such as brand, type, size and theoretical weight. With the information it's possible to see the real market share for each manufacturer. With an Excel-based tool it's also possible to analyze the market share in different subsegments such as chemistry, private label/OEM or size/type. The same tool can be used also for follow up of the production with a detailed logging of throughput per hour, reasons for stops and chemistry composition.

Proven technology

The first OBS 600 installed at G&P Batteries in West Midlands, United Kingdom.

The OBS 500 is the fourth generation of the Optical Battery Sorting system after the first generation launched in 2012, the second generation, OBS600, launched in 2014 and thirdly a smaller version, the OBS200, in 2016. The improvements are within the feeding system, where a step feeder is used, reducing the overall footprint, the number of parts and the maintenance of the machine.

The Optical Battery Sorter customer base are located in the UK, Slovakia, the US and Canada. Our battery database consists of over 2700 different batteries and is constantly growing. As of spring 2018, the OBS500 will be in production in Norway.